Russia's answer to the Rio 2016 Paralympics

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Photos:The Russian answer to Rio 2016

With its para-athletes banned from Rio 2016, Russia is hosting its own sporting event. The "All Russian Open Paralympic Competition" took place Thursday just outside Moscow.

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Photos:The Russian answer to Rio 2016

The Federal Training Centre in Novogorsk served as host for the event, which comprised of competitions and master classes. The crowd for the event was modest and largely comprised of students from the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence.

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Photos:The Russian answer to Rio 2016

Wheelchair racing, the 100-meter sprints and sitting volleyball were the competitive disciplines being contested.

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Photos:The Russian answer to Rio 2016

Sitting volleyball is an adaptation of the able-bodied sport, with a much smaller court and a lower net.

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Photos:The Russian answer to Rio 2016

Some indoor events were billed as "master classes" with althetes offering tips and also talking with journalists.

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Story highlights

Russian is hosting an event for its banned Paralympic athletes

The International Paralympic Committee issued a blanket ban on Russian para-athletes

Russia held a similar event for its would-be Olympians ahead of Rio 2016

Moscow, Russia (CNN)It's not the competition Russia's para-athletes had been dreaming of.

Banned from Rio, the "All Russian Open Paralympic Competition," held near Moscow on Thursday was a way for the nation's would-be Paralympians to display their prowess.

The event staged at the Federal Training Centre in Novogorsk, a small town outside of the capital, is being staged due to the International Paralympic Committee's blanket ban on Russian para-athletes competing at Rio 2016.

There were a few locals in the stands supporting and a significant number of press. The bulk of the support came from students at the Russian Ministry of Civil Defence who were all seated in a large stand at one end of the track.

There were a few youngsters sporting banners of good will for the barred athletes attending this two-day event.

Markus Rehm - Germany – Often referred to as the "Blade Jumper," Markus Rehm won Paralympic gold in the long jump at the London Games in 2012 and holds the world record of 8.40 meters in the F44 competition class which he set at the world championships in Doha in 2015.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Alessandro Zanardi - Italy – Alex Zanardi was a racing driver until he lost both legs in a horrific CART crash in 2001. He tried hand cycling in 2007 and later became a Paralympic athlete. He won two gold and silver at London 2012, and is a world champion in road race and time trial events.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Melissa Stockwell - USA – Melissa Stockwell was the first female American solider to lose a limb in active combat during the Iraq War. She is aiming to become the first Paralympic triathlon champion as the sport makes its debut in Rio.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Ryley Batt - Australia – Ryley Batt is only 27 but competing in his fourth Paralympic Games. The wheelchair rugby player, who even opponents say is the best, led Australia to gold at London 2012 and victory at the 2014 world championships.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Sarah Storey - Great Britain – Sarah Storey competed for Great Britain in four Paralympics as a swimmer before swapping the pool for a bike. Rio will be her third Paralympic Games on two wheels and a chance for her to add to the 22 medals she has amassed to date.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Omara Durand - Cuba – The visually impaired Cuban sprinter Omara Durand is aiming for multiple golds at the Rio Paralympics to add to her haul. With a time of 11.48 seconds, she is the world record holder at 100 meters in the T12 class. Durand is defending Paralympic champion at 100m and 400m.

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Daniel Dias - Brazil – Swimmer Daniel Dias is Brazil's version of Michael Phelps and its most successful sportsman in recent years. He won nine medals at the Beijing Games in 2008 and six Paralympic golds at London 2012, setting four world records in the process.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Lin Ma - China – Lin Ma is known for his aggressive style of play. It has brought him huge success in his class -- he is ranked No. 1 in the world -- and he will be aiming for his third Paralympic singles title at Rio.

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Photos:Rio Paralympics: 9 stars to watch

Jovane Silva Guissone - Brazil – Brazilian Jovane Silva Guissone is the defending Paralympic wheelchair fencing champion and aiming to repeat his success at his home Games. He has said he wants to help Brazil climb the medal table and encourage interest in all sports.

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Discplines were split into two categories, competition and demonstrations. Wheelchair racing, 100 meter sprints and volleyball were the competitive events.

Para-athletes lined up against each other in a series of races, to the sound of muted cheers. The volleyball match, held indoors, was watched only by teammates sat on the bench.

The demonstrations were billed as a masterclasses held in one of the complex's many sports halls. In their own designated sections, athletes from wheelchair tennis, cycling and equestrian would practice their skills while also conducting interviews and taking questions.

Amongst the athletes there was a mood of solidarity, with other teammates turning out in their full track suits to stand by, watch and support their compatriots.

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There was also anger.

"I think it's fair to give an individual athlete a chance to say he or she is innocent or not, and not to be judged and have a collective ban... that's not fair for sure," said hand cyclist Svetlana Mushkovich.

This was a sentiment echoed by the Russian Minister for Sport, Vitaly Mutko, who was in attendance briefly. When asked if he thought the decision was fair, his response was blunt.

"If you want to ask if it's fair or not -- ask athletes who have trained hard for 4 years," he replied. "You need to punish only the guilty, this is the only decision that can be taken."

Unlike a similar event held ahead of the Olympic Games for Russian able-bodied athletes unsure if they would be competing in Rio, the fate of these para-athletes has already been decided and is irreversible.